Adjustable weight golf putter

ABSTRACT

An adjustable weight golf putter for striking a golf ball having a shaft for holding by a golfer, a putter head mounted on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of putter faces that attach to a front surface of the putter head. The putter faces releasably connect to the putter head. The putter face is the striking surface of the golf ball. The putter faces have different weights that are selected for particular putting conditions. In this way, a golfer may alter the putter weight depending on playing conditions while maintaining a consistent putting stroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to golf putters and more particularly toan adjustable weight golf putter.

[0002] Conventionally, golfers carry a golf putter during a golf outingfor striking a golf ball on a putting green to roll the golf ball into acup. A typical golfer carries one golf putter of constant weight andadjusts his or her putting stroke to suit varying green conditions.

[0003] Green conditions can vary significantly, depending on manyfactors including, but not limited to, grass length, moisture, and wind.Conventionally, golfers adjust their putting stroke according to greenconditions. By using several different putting strokes adapted tovarious green conditions, golfers may find it difficult to compensatefor all green conditions. Because green conditions may vary from greento green on a single golf course, a golfer may make many putting strokeadjustments during one round of golf. These adjustments may lead to aninconsistent putting stroke.

[0004] A consistent putting stroke is advantageous over an inconsistentputting stroke, creating a consistent and uniform feel as the golfputter strikes the ball. A golfer having a consistent putting stroke ongreens with various conditions may be better able to place the ball inthe cup with fewer putts than with an inconsistent putting stroke.Conventional golf putter designs attempt to increase the consistency ofa golfer's putting stroke. For illustration of the prior art, see U.S.Pat. No. 3,220,733 (Saleeby), U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,868 Jacob), U.S. Pat.No. 5,230,509 (Chavez) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,413 (Sprague).Unfortunately, none of these previous inventions allow golfers tocompensate for varying green conditions with a golf putter having anadjustable weight serving a dual purpose as the striking surface.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Among the several objects and features of the present inventionmay be noted the provision of an adjustable weight golf putter thatpermits ready attachment of putter faces of different weights andhardnesses; the provision of an adjustable weight golf putter thatpermits putter face replacement without tools; and the provision of anadjustable weight golf putter that permits a golfer to maintainsubstantially the same putting stroke for all green conditions.

[0006] Generally, an adjustable weight golf putter is used for strikinga golf ball and has a shaft adapted for holding by the golfer. A putterhead is mounted on a distal end of the shaft and a plurality of putterfaces can attach to a front surface of the putter head. The putter facesreleasably connect to the putter head. The putter faces have differentweights selected for particular putting conditions, so that a golfer mayalter the putter weight depending on playing conditions whilemaintaining a substantially consistent putting stroke.

[0007] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in partpointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a typical adjustable weight golfputter of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 1A is a perspective of an adjustable weight golf putterhaving a longitudinally extending rail and channel design;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the putter shown in FIG. 1A with aputter face removed from a putter base and rotated forward to show aback side thereof;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a section of the putter taken in a plane including line3-3 of FIG. 1A, with a thicker putter face shown in phantom;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a front elevation of an adjustable weight golf putterhaving a bayonet design with the putter face removed from the putterbase and rotated forward to show a back side thereof;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the putter of FIG. 4 illustratingmovement of the putter face between a first and a second position;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a rear elevation of the putter of FIG. 4, with theputter face in a second position;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a front elevation of an adjustable weight golf putterhaving a latch bar with the putter face removed from the base androtated forward to show a back side thereof;

[0016]FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspectives of the putter shown in FIG. 7illustrating two positions of the latch bar;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a front elevation of an adjustable weight golf putterhaving a spring-loaded plunger attachment post with the putter facebeing removed from the base and rotated forward to show a back sidethereof;

[0018]FIG. 11 is a rear elevation of the putter of FIG. 10 with theputter face attached to the base; and

[0019]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of the adjustable weightgolf putter in FIG. 11 with portions removed to show the spring-loadedplunger in a first and second position.

[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Referring now to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1,reference character 21 generally indicates a golf putter of the presentinvention. The adjustable weight golf putter 21 has a putter head 23mounted on a distal end 25 of a shaft 27. Referring to FIGS. 1A, 2 and3, the putter head 23 includes a base 29 a and a front surface 31 forattachment of a plurality of putter faces 33 a-d. Each putter face 33a-d may have a different weight appropriate for particular puttingconditions, so that a golfer may alter putter weight depending onplaying conditions, while maintaining a consistent putting stroke.

[0022] It is envisioned that the putter faces 33 a-d may be made ofmaterials of different hardnesses and/or densities. Thus, besideschanging the weight, the putter faces 33 a-d can change the tactilefeedback of the putter faces striking the ball to suit a particulargolfer or playing conditions. Conceivably, any material readilyattachable to the respective bases 29 a-29 d may be used for the putterfaces 33 a-d. For instance, the putter faces 33 a-d could be made ofsteel, aluminum, brass, rubber, or plastic (such as nylon or DelrinÂ®).Moreover, the faces 33 a-d may be formed with various types of textualor graphical material, such as advertising slogans, trademarks,photographs or drawings. The replaceable nature of the faces 33 a-d makethem particularly useful for promotional use and as gifts.

[0023] The putter faces 33 a-d each have a front striking surface 34shaped for contacting the golf ball and inducing rolling motion of thegolf ball over the green (FIGS. 1 and 3). The rear surfaces 36 of eachof the faces 33 a-d connect to the front surface 31 of the bases. Thebase 29 a is constructed for receiving a plurality of putter faces 33 a,one at a time.

[0024] FIGS. 1A-3 show the adjustable weight golf putter 21 having atongue-in-groove type connection. A putter face 33 a has an undercut,longitudinally-extending rail 35. The base 29 a has a mating channel 37constructed to receive the rail 35. A viewing window 39 in the base 29 aallows the golfer to see the rail 35 as it slides onto the channel 37.The golfer can slide the putter face 33 a into the base 29 a without theassistance of tools. To attach the face 33 a to the base 29 a, thegolfer aligns the rail 35 with an open end of the channel 37 and slidesthe face longitudinally until the face aligns with the base. The putterface's rail 35 and the base's channel 37 have angled sidewalls 41 thatcooperate with one another as the golfer slides the face onto the baseto hold the putter face from movement relative to the base. The base 29a may alternately be formed without a viewing window 39, such that theputter 21 appears solid as viewed from the rear of the putter (notshown). Without the viewing window 39, the solid area on the rear of thebase 29 a may be used for branding or marking the putter 21 with text,pictures or other information.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a spring-loaded ball detent,generally indicated 43, fits within the base 29 a. A ball 45 of thedetent 43 protrudes from a detent cylinder 46, threadably received inthe channel 37. As the golfer slides the putter face 33 a completelyonto the base 29 a, the ball 45 engages a cooperating recess 47 in therail 35 of the putter face. The cooperating recess 47 and spring-loadedball detent 43 combine to hold the putter face 33 a against longitudinalsliding motion with respect to the base 29 a. The spring-loaded balldetent 43 and cooperating recess 47 may be positioned for engagementanywhere along the base 29 a and putter face 33 a, so long as theyengage one another when the putter face 33 a is aligned with the base 29a. The spring-loaded ball detent 43 comprises a coil spring 49 that fitswithin the detent cylinder 46 in the base 29 a. The spring 49 iscompressed within the detent cylinder 46, between an inner end 50 of thedetent cylinder and the ball 45. An outer end 51 of the detent cylinder46 is crimped radially inward to retain the ball 45 within the cylinder.The thickness T of the putter face 33 a can vary, thus varying theweight of the putter 21. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG.2, the putter face 33 a and base 29 a are of similar size and shape;however, the face may be differently sized and shaped than the basewithout departing from the scope of the invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the spring-loaded ball detent 43 engages therecess 47. The golfer releases the putter face 33 a from the base 29 awithout the assistance of tools by performing the attachment steps inreverse. First, the golfer applies enough force to the face 33 a, in alongitudinal direction opposite to the attachment direction, to overcomethe spring force of the spring-loaded ball detent 43, forcing the ball45 into the detent cylinder 46. The golfer then slides the face 33 alongitudinally along the mating channel 37 until the rail 35 disengagesthe channel 37.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the putter 21, abayonet putter face 33 b has an attachment post 53 extendingperpendicularly outward from the rear surface 36 of the putter face 33b. A putter base 29 b has a circular opening 57 with a slot 58 sized forreceiving the attachment post 53. An alignment post 59 also extendslaterally outward from the rear surface 36 of the putter face 33 b. Thealignment post 59 engages an arcuate groove 61 of the base 29 b. A pin63 passes transversely through the attachment post 53. The pin 63extends from either side of the attachment post 53, for retaining theputter face 33 b within the base 29 b as described below. Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, attaching the face 33 b to the base 29 b is a simpleprocess that does not require tools. A golfer aligns the attachment post53 and pin 63 with the opening 57 and slot 58 in the base 29 b so thatthe attachment post and pin can pass completely through the opening andslot. The putter face 33 b is held at an angle with respect to the base29 b so that the pin 63 aligns with the slot 58. Once inserted, thegolfer rotates the face 33 b in a clockwise direction about the axis ofthe post 53 (as shown in FIG. 5) to bring the putter face 33 b intoalignment with the base 29 b. As the putter face 33 b is rotated, thealignment post 59 slides into the base's arcuate groove 61. FIG. 6depicts the putter head 23 after the putter face 33 b is attached to thebase 29 b and locked in place. As the putter face 33 b rotates about theattachment post's axis, the pin 63 rotates past the slot 58 to engagethe face. As the alignment post 59 travels along the arcuate groove 61,an interference fit between the arcuate groove 61 and alignment post 59holds the face 33 b in the proper position. The arcuate groove 61 hasits greatest depth at its entrance point 67 and narrowest at its end 69,creating the interference fit between the alignment post 59 and grooveas the post moves toward the end of the groove. As this occurs, the fitbetween the putter face 33 b and base 29 b becomes more snug due to thechanges in depth of the arcuate groove 61, alignment post 59 andattachment post 53 with transversely-passing pin 63, drawing the putterface towards the base 29 b. Once the alignment post 59 travels the fulllength of the arcuate groove 61, the alignment post limits face 33 brotation. In this position, the pin 63 is not aligned with the slot 58,and the face 33 b is attached to the base 29 b.

[0028] Releasing the putter face 33 b from the base 29 b is performedwithout the assistance of tools. The golfer simply performs theattachment process in reverse. The golfer rotates the putter face 33 bso that the alignment post 59 moves out of the arcuate groove 61 in adirection opposite to the attachment process. The golfer continuesrotating the putter face 33 b until it is at an angle to the base 29 bwhere the transversely-passing pin 63 and the slot 58 are aligned,allowing the golfer to grasp the putter face 33 b and pull theattachment post 53 with transversely-passing pin 63 through the baseopening 57 and slot 58.

[0029] A putter of another embodiment having a hinged-latch putter 71head configuration is shown in FIGS. 7-9. An attachment post 73 and aguidepost 75 extend perpendicularly outward from a hinged-latch putterface 33 c for engagement with a base 29 c. The attachment post 73 has anannular groove 79 and is positioned in the center of the face 33 c. Theguidepost 75 is positioned on the end of the face, farthest from theshaft 27. The attachment post 73 and guidepost 75 locations along theputter face 33 c may change without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

[0030] The base 29 c has an opening 81 sized for receiving theattachment post 73 and a hole 83 sized for receiving the guidepost 75. Alatch bar 85 is rotatably mounted on the base 29 c for engagement withthe annular groove 79 to secure the putter face 33 c onto the base 29 c.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, the putter head 23 is shown with theattachment post 73 inserted through the opening 81. The latch bar 85 isin an open position so that the putter face 33 c is not secured to thebase 29 c. FIG. 9 depicts the putter head 23 having the latch bar 85 ina second position. When engaged, the latch bar 85 secures the putterface 33 c to the base 29 c by holding the attachment post 73 within theopening 81. The latch bar's bottom portion 87 is curved for engagementwith the annular groove 79. The latch bar 85 fits within the annulargroove 79 and is suitably shaped to conform to the annular groove.

[0032] After a golfer has inserted the attachment post 73 and guidepost75 through the respective base openings 81 and 83, the latch bar 85 isrotated downward toward the base 29 c. With the latch bar 85 within theannular groove 79, the base 29 c secures the face 33 c. Friction betweenthe latch bar 85 and the annular groove 79 holds the latch bar in theannular groove until the golfer releases the latch bar by rotating itupward away from the base 29 c.

[0033] Releasing the putter face 33 c from the base 29 c is performedwithout the assistance of tools. The golfer performs the attachmentprocess in reverse. The golfer simply opens the latch bar 85 and removesthe putter face 33 c from the base 29 c by pulling the putter face 33 caway from the base 29 c. After the attachment post 73 travels fullythrough the base's opening 81, the putter face is fully released fromthe base 29 c.

[0034] A spring-loaded plunger 89 embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10-12.This putter embodiment comprises a base 29 d and a face 33 d. Anattachment post 95 extends laterally outwardly from the rear surface 36of the putter face 33 d. The attachment post 95 comprises aspring-loaded plunger, generally indicated 97, for releasable engagementwith the base 29 d. The plunger 97 has an outer cylinder 99 and an innercylinder 101. The outer cylinder 99 is knurled (not shown), improvinggrip for manipulating the plunger 97. A locking pin 103 extendslaterally through the attachment post 95 with portions extending fromeither side of the post. The locking pin 103 helps secure the putterface 33 d to the base 29 d, as discussed in detail below. The putterface 33 d includes two recesses 105 designed for engaging two guideposts107 extending laterally from the base 29 d. The guideposts 107 arepositioned on opposite ends of the base 29 d. The base 29 d alsoincludes an opening 109 sized and shaped to accept the putter face'sattachment post 95.

[0035] Attaching the face 33 d to the base 29 d is a simple process thatdoes not require tools. The golfer aligns the putter face attachmentpost 95 with the cooperating base opening 109 and the base guideposts107 with the cooperating face recesses 105. After the attachment post 95is fully inserted into the base opening 109 and the base guideposts 107reside in the putter face recesses 105, the putter face 33 d and base 29d are in flatwise engagement with one another. The golfer then graspsthe spring-loaded plunger's outer cylinder 99 and pulls the outercylinder 99 outward while twisting. After the golfer twists and releasesthe plunger 97, a spring 111 pulls the locking pin 103 firmly againstthe base 29 d. The friction created between the locking pin 103 and thebase 29 d holds the plunger 97 in its locked position, thus securing theface 33 d to the base 29 d (FIGS. 11 and 12). FIG. 12 is a partialcutaway section showing a first unsecured position and a second securedposition in phantom.

[0036] Releasing the putter face 33 d from the base 29 d is performedwithout the assistance of tools by performing the attachment process inreverse. The golfer overcomes the friction force between the locking pin103 and the base 29 d by grasping and pulling the spring-loadedplunger's outer cylinder 99 outward while twisting until the locking pin103 aligns with the base opening 109. Once aligned, the golfer simplypulls the putter face 33 d and attachment post 95 through the baseopening 109.

[0037] It is envisioned that the putter faces 33 a-d may be made ofmaterials of different hardnesses and/or densities. Thus, more thanchanging the weight, the putter faces 33 a-d can change the tactilefeedback of the putter face striking the ball to suit a particulargolfer or playing conditions. Conceivably, any material readilyattachable to the respective bases 29 a, 29 b, 29 c, 29 d may be usedfor the putter faces 33 a-d. For instance, the putter faces 33 a-d couldbe made of steel, aluminum, brass, rubber, or plastic (such as nylon orDelrinÂ®).

[0038] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects ofthe invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0039] When introducing elements of the present invention or thepreferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and“said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to beinclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements.

[0040] As various changes could be made in the above without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is: 1] An adjustable weight golf putter for striking agolf ball having a shaft adapted for holding by a golfer, a putter headmounted on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of putter facesthat attach to a front surface of said putter head, adapted forreleasably connecting to the putter head for striking said golf ball, atleast some of said putter faces having different weights selected forparticular putting conditions, so that a golfer may alter the putterweight depending on playing conditions while maintaining a substantiallyconsistent putting stroke. 2] An adjustable weight golf putter as setforth in claim 1 wherein each putter face has a surface formed forstriking the golf ball to induce rolling motion of the golf ball over aputting surface. 3] An adjustable weight golf putter as set forth inclaim 2 wherein one of each of the putter faces and the base has anundercut longitudinally extending rail, and the other of each of theputter faces and the base has a channel formed therein, the rail beingadapted for sliding reception in the channel for releasably connectingthe putter face to the base. 4] An adjustable weight golf putter as setforth in claim 3 further comprising a spring-loaded ball detent withinone of each of the putter faces and the base and a cooperating recess inthe other of each of putter faces and the base, the detent being adaptedto engage the recess for holding each putter face in place on the base.5] An adjustable weight golf putter as set forth in claim 1 wherein theputter face comprises an attachment post extending laterally outwardlyfrom one of each of the putter faces and the base, the other of each ofthe putter faces and the base including an opening therein sized forreceiving the attachment post for attaching the putter face to the base.6] An adjustable weight golf putter as set forth in claim 5 wherein oneof each of the putter faces and the bases include an alignment postextending laterally outwardly therefrom, the other of each of the putterfaces and the base having a groove therein for receiving the alignmentpost. 7] An adjustable weight golf putter as set forth in claim 6wherein the putter face is adapted to engage the base in a firstposition and, after engagement, to rotate to a second position forlocking onto the base. 8] An adjustable weight golf putter as set forthin claim 6 wherein the attachment post has a pin passing generallytransversely therethrough and is longer in length than the width of theattachment post, the pin being disposed to lock the putter face to thebase in said second position. 9] An adjustable weight golf putter as setforth in claim 8 wherein each putter face has the attachment postassociated therewith and the opening is associated with the base. 10] Anadjustable weight golf putter as set forth in claim 5 wherein one ofeach of the putter faces and the base further comprises a latch barmounted thereon for movement into and out of engagement with theattachment post for releasably locking the putter face on the base. 11]An adjustable weight golf putter as set forth in claim 10 wherein eachputter face has the attachment post associated therewith and the openingis associated with the base. 12] An adjustable weight golf putter as setforth in claim 11 wherein each putter face further comprises aguidepost, extending laterally outwardly from the putter face, said basehaving an opening therein sized for receiving the guidepost for guidingthe putter face into alignment with the base. 13] An adjustable weightgolf putter as set forth in claim 5 wherein the attachment post isassociated with the putter face and includes a spring-loaded plungeradapted for releasable locking engagement with the base. 14] Anadjustable weight golf putter as set forth in claim 13 wherein theputter face has recesses in said inward side thereof, and wherein thebase includes guideposts attached to the base and receivable in therecesses to locate the putter face with respect to the base. 15] Anadjustable weight golf putter for striking a golf ball as set forth inclaim 1 wherein at least some of the putter faces are made of differentmaterials having different densities. 16] An adjustable weight golfputter as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least some of the putter facesare made of different materials having different hardnesses.